title: Double-blind trial of nifedipine in angina patients with normal coronary arteries.
abstract: A double-blind trial was carried out in 33 patients with the syndrome of angina and normal coronary arteries, comparing the effects of nifedipine and placebo on the frequency and severity of anginal attacks, glyceryl trinitrate consumption and exercise tolerance. Electrocardiograms were abnormal at rest in 16 and normal in 17 patients. Five patients developed electrocardiographic changes suggestive or myocardial ischaemia on exertion. Exercise thallium 201 scintigraphy showed evidence of regional myocardial ischaemia in 4 patients. Of 30 patients who completed the trial, 16 reported fewer, less severe anginal attacks on nifedipine than on placebo; glyceryl trinitrate consumption was lower during nifedipine thn during placebo therapy. However, the reduction in angina and glyceryl trinitrate consumption in the group as a whole was not statistically significant; the results from 1 particular patient heavily influenced the statistical analysis against significant benefit from nifedipine. Exercise tolerance was similar on nifedipine and placebo. Two-thirds of the patients reported unwanted effects from nifedipine; 3 patients withdrew because of intolerable side-effects. It is concluded that nifedipine may reduce the frequency and severity of anginal attacks in some patients with angina and normal coronary arteries but the high incidence of side-effects may limit its usefulness.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011725:Pyridines; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D009543:Nifedipine